Once it became clear that the Giants would have a top-5 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, the excitement grew exponentially regarding the caliber of player they would be able to select, given the talent of the incoming class. Rumors spread about who that might be, with Penn State EDGE Abdul Carter and Colorado wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter dominating the conversation, either of whom fans would be thrilled to have on the team.
So it wasn't a huge loss to see the Jaguars pull off a blockbuster trade to jump ahead of New York to secure Hunter for their roster. That meant that Carter fell into their lap with the third overall pick, and his impressive start during spring practices has already proved he was the right choice.
The rookie joins some elite talent on the defensive line, which has garnered the group top-of-the-league respect ahead of training camp and is outperforming all expectations. Although he was projected to be a game wrecker, concerns arose about how quickly he would adapt to the NFL, which doesn't appear to be a problem whatsoever, thus far.
Abdul Carter is already looking like the player the Giants desperately needed and then some
Because Carter didn't play at defensive end until the 2024 season at Penn State, analysts speculated that he might be a risky pick for any team to take. That remained a concern even after the Giants selected him this past April, but he has seemingly shut down any questions about his fit in the big leagues heading into training camp.
His impressive spring has prompted some to suggest the Giants should trade one of their veteran pass rushers before the new season begins, as the belief is that Carter will rise to the top of the depth chart in no time.
That confidence stems from countless reporters emphasizing their high regard for what they've already seen from the rookie, despite having only practiced in a limited capacity due to offseason restrictions before training camp. It's inevitably spotlighting Carter in the weeks leading to the team's return to the Meadowlands this month, and there's no doubt he will live up to the hype.
Carter's expectations are so high that he's even been named as the odds-on favorite to win Defensive Rookie of the Year. It's quite a sign of confidence in what he can accomplish, given the crop of talent that will also be competing for the title, so the fact he's already so highly considered is a sign of what's to come.
It will be even more exciting to see what he can do once the pads come on later this month. If what we've already seen is any indication, the Giants surely have a wrecking ball on their hands that will reshape their future moving forward.